Customer Reviews

No End in Sight: My Life as a Blind Iditarod Racer

5 star:		(6)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know much about dog racing, but this story had me mildly interested all the way through, and I learned a lot, not only about the sport, but about blind people and how one girl's courage catapulted her into a 500 mile, grueling endurance race across the wildest parts of a wild countryside. Rachel speaks candidly about how, when she was young, she wanted to be part of the clique of "popular girls" who ruled the roost at school, and how these uncaring girls mocked her and humiliated her for even trying.

She didn't like being treated as some sort of second class and in a way, you can see the whole of her subsequent career as a sort of insolent salute to the girls who made her life hell. Her family was supportive, up to a point. But the challenge of the Iditarod Trail frightens even the most dedicated guides. And some unimaginative, if concerned, fellow sledders told her she was crazy, being blind to attempt such a physical feat. For even strong men with both eyes sometimes went mad along the trail. The ITC wasn't helpful, and she had to appeal to them in person. What would she do if she had to go to the bathroom, for example? Rachel answers these questions with the frank good humor for which she has been known all over the world of sled racing. One indication of the deeper pain involved is that, usually, Rachel cries sometime during a race. But finally she's at a point where she's having fun and it shows not only in her work, but in the pages of this delightful book. My brother who gave me NO END IN SIGHT knows of my love for the books of David Sedaris, and he thought that Rachel might be some relation! Well, there's no direct blood connection (and her name is "Sedoris") but she is like David Sedaris in being able to find the humanity and humor even in the most awful of straits.

Yes, it's "heavy sledding" at times, especially if like me you're a newbie with next to no knowledge of anything she's talking about and anything she's been through. But, there's a helpful glossary at the back of the book so all you non-mushers can decipher the somewhat specialized lingo. You'll be crying out "Haw!" and "Hike!" like seasoned trailhounds. Ever wonder what kind of personality you would have as a canine? Are you the wheel dog type or the swing dog, a team dog or a lead? Check out NO END IN SIGHT.

The Iditarod, let alone any sleddograce, is not something one does "on the side". You have to organize, to train, to plan, be prepared against the elements, love the athletes, become one of them. Simply said: it takes guts and without it there is no glory.

Rachael has set her goal and reaches it, with all the extra handicaps one can think of. It shows the reader that if you have anything you want, anything you really desire, you've got to go for it and cross all the borders you encounter. There is no "but..." I have nothing but the deepest admiration for Rachael!

I just read this book and found it very fascinating. I was able to relate as a woman athlete, but can honestly say that I will never understand the kind of difficulties this young woman has faced and continues to overcome on a daily basis. I have always wanted to travel to Alaska and see the Iditarod first hand. Rachael has given me a wonderful insight into the race until my dream is possible. After reading this book you will realize that your limits should be set by yourself and only by yourself. Thanks for your incredible story, and CONGRATULATIONS on your 2006 Iditarod finish!!!

True inspiration for overcoming obstacles - Rachael demonstrates amazing physical and mental stamina "grit" in her determination to excell at dog sled racing. Her father helped her develop it and also posseses considerable grit. A great read.

Really enjoyed reading this book. I brought it on a vacation to read on the plane. I ended up reading it in two days... only some on the plane and the rest on my first day of vacation.

I would consider it entertaining non-fiction light reading. I knew very little about dog-sledding, or what it is like to be visually impaired. I learned a lot and enjoyed every minute of it.

A story of the conquering human spirit.

Rachel Scdoris was my spark to become a fan of the Iditarod sled dog race. This book chronicles Rachel's struggle of growing up legally blind and her dream of competing in and completing the 1100 mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome Alaska.

The story begins with her birth and ends with her finish in the "Toughest Race On Earth" Well written with the help of Rick Steber, the book is another story of a person who is disadvantaged in some way who leaves those of us without such a burden no excuses for failing to pursue our own dreams.

Like "Running With Champions" this book is more biography and less detail about the Iditarod, but Rick and Rachel do give a great deal of insight into the Idiatarod Trail Committee and how the race is managed.

If you are looking for a heart warming story about a young woman/girl, this is a book you would enjoy. It could be inspirational to young people and a motivator for those with some sort of impairment. It is not a technical or historical reference for Iditarod sled dog racing.

Rachel is entered in the 2009 Iditarod, so the rest of the story is still being written. "GO Rachel! All the way to Nome!"

I really love the Iditarod and the team spirit in general, but this book discribes a whole new level of commitment that is purely amazing. Without a lot of self-pity, the blind musher discribes how she got together her dogs, trained and then ran the Iditarod. It goes into a lot more detail than this, obviously, but it doesn't get boring. If you want the ins and outs of sled-dog racing, this is it. If you want a great feel for woman/dog teamwork and devotion, this is it too. I highly recommend it.

Wow. At first I was really enjoying it, but when she started making remarks about the ignorance of recreational mushers, my level of admiration halted and started to drop. I personally wouldn't have said that she couldn't do it, but just because a recreational musher (along with some racers too) said that she couldn't doesn't mean that she can generalize and say that ALL recreational mushers are ignorant about mushing. As a long-time recreational musher, that really made me not like her. As I started looked at her from a different angle rather than the girl-who-overcomes-the-odds, she turned into an arrogant person who uses her eyesight as an excuse for special treatment.